essential 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce essential (audio)
Definition of essentialnext
1
as in necessary
impossible to do without a well-stocked public library is essential for the well-being of a community

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject anyone with an essential knowledge of human biology can follow the documentary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in integral
being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing an unquenchable belief in the essential goodness of most people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

essential

2 of 2

noun

1
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude

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2
as in principles
essentials plural general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based this will be just an introduction to the essentials of computer programming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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an essential role
a necessary role
a crucial role
an imperative role
a vital role
an integral role
essential information
critical information
fundamental information
useful information
primary information
precious information
an essential element
a key element
a requisite element
a major element
a main element
an important element

Synonym Chooser

How is the word essential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of essential are cardinal, fundamental, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

When could cardinal be used to replace essential?

While in some cases nearly identical to essential, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When is fundamental a more appropriate choice than essential?

While the synonyms fundamental and essential are close in meaning, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When would vital be a good substitute for essential?

The words vital and essential are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of essential
Adjective
And the Intelligent Mirror prototype scans your face and monitors your most essential health statistics in one convenient, portable mirror package. — Lisa A. Beach, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 Influencing Without Authority For a tech leader, influencing without authority is essential. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
Featuring two compartments with a removable divider insert, this case has room for all your essentials, and nothing wiggles around. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025 In Finland, the National Emergency Supply Agency, a government department, works with around 1,500 companies to ensure stockpiles, redundancy, information sharing, and other essentials that may be necessary in a crisis. — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
  1. necessary
  2. basic
  3. integral
  4. must
  5. required
  6. rudimentary
  7. inherent
  8. requirement
Adjective
  • The president's order will direct McMahon to take all necessary steps permitted by law to dissolve department, according to the sources familiar.
    — Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • By March, social media complaints were getting louder as Tesla wrapped up its probe, concluding that a voluntary recall was necessary.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of necessary
Adjective
  • The basic Hulu subscription with ads is $9.99 per month, while the Disney+, Hulu Bundle basic starts at $10.99/month.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Sailing lessons: Learn basic sailing skills and terminology from the instructors of the Central Florida Community Sailing Program during this six-session class.
    — Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • Enabling all these benefits will require shifting your mindset and learning to see and treat product cybersecurity as an integral part of your product’s delivery process.
    — Klaudia Zaika, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The deal will also recognize as an integral part of the state Syria’s Kurdish community, tens of thousands of whom were previously denied citizenship under the decades-long rule of the Assad regime.
    — Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of integral
Noun
  • The fish tacos at Tide Tables in Cortez are a must, and several spots in the Bradenton area beach communities like Hurricane Hanks, The Sandbar Restaurant, and Woody’s River Roo are also worth a visit.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The tableside guacamole—mashed to order and impossibly fresh—is a must, setting the stage for smoky, slow-roasted tacos and a cocktail list stacked with premium tequilas and mezcals.
    — Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of must
Adjective
  • The Fix: Ensure your job descriptions are clear and concise, outlining required skills, responsibilities and expectations.
    — Rebecca Skilbeck, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Management did instruct Hughley to document the use of Benadryl but did not get the required parental signature on the form.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Chase scenes are easily tracked over rich urban terrain, and shootouts tend to play out in clear, rudimentary compositions.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But those rudimentary models based on pre-defined rulesets are rapidly becoming obsolete compared to the current capabilities of AI.
    — Sailesh Sewpaul, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • Unquestionably, left-wing, woke, and pretentiously out-of-touch artists dominate these forms, but there is nothing inherent in the forms themselves that says this must be so.
    — Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In his life, there is one thread that binds all chapters: Thor’s electrifying positivity that vexes all pessimists and his inherent ability to connect with others.
    — Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of inherent
Noun
  • Rideshare company representatives told city councilors during a hearing last month that the ordinance was too stringent and that making companies get umbrella liability insurance for their workers exceeds the state's requirements.
    — Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Regulatory compliance is also managed through specialized software that tracks changing requirements and automates reporting processes.
    — Serge Beck, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of requirement

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Cite this Entry

“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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